Meeting Cuba
Meeting Cuba
My grandfather, mother, and I have recently returned from a two-week visit to Cuba to meet family. I hope to sometime publish here a detailed account of my trip, complete with interesting historical facts and amusing family anecdotes. For now, while I’m still settling into a daily routine at home, I have time only to post photographs and a few fragmentary notes. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy this glimpse of Cuba.
.... a children’s goat cart ....
.... sisters ....
Wherever we needed to go, he took us.
.... Papi and I rest in the park after a long walk ....
.... historical Baptist church ....
.... walking at la Feria del Libro [the Book Fair], looking for the Spanish classic Platero y Yo ....
A smile is beautiful even if you don’t have any teeth.
.... shops ....
.... mother and daughter ....
... roasting the puerco [pig] over a fire of dried coconut husks and guava tree branches ....
.... meeting more family ....
.... stopping on the bridge to pose by the Río Cauto, Cuba’s longest river ....
.... an artistic walkway in Bayamo....
... children of Cuba ....
.... on our way to Habana [Havana], by wawa [bus] ....
.... a rooftop garden with quingombó [okra]....
.... cebolletas [chives] and Cuban oregano ....
.... the Cuban capitol in Habana ....
.... our cousins give us a tour of La Habana Vieja [the Old Havana] ....
.... a perfume shop ....
.... La Plaza Vieja [Old Square]....
.... the colorful traditional dress of Cuba...
.... La Cabaña, an eighteenth century fortress where we went to witness “El Cañonazo de las 9,” a custom, kept from colonial times, signaling the nightly closure of the city ....
.... a warm welcome home ....
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NALLELE said...
Wow. Those pictures are beautiful! I like the walkway in Bayamo and all those nice, colorful cars. When I visited the Dominican Republic, I actually found el campo even more interesting. So different from America; I’m sure it was a great experience.
Friday, March 19, 2010 09:57 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Hello, Nallele! Thank you for your comment. Yes, those flamboyant vintage cars are something else! I did enjoy my trip to Cuba—even the cold showers. ;-) We didn’t spend very much time in the country (drove through a lot of it, though), though we did visit relatives living on a cooperative farm.
My sister and I were excited to discover that you have a blog, and we’ve been enjoying your posts though we are unable to comment.
Saturday, March 20, 2010 01:07 PM
HILDEGARDE said...
Welcome back! I am eager to hear more of your journeys! You’ve been oft in my prayers.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 11:17 AM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Thank you, Hildegarde! A more thorough account of my trip should be forthcoming. Your prayers are much appreciated and have availed much.
Thursday, March 25, 2010 08:31 AM
Tuesday, March 16, 2010